Smithers, Edward | Day 9

Was offered money by the Conservative side but refused to take it on the basis he was ‘always a blue’.

Witness Type: Bribee

Party: Liberal

Witness Testimony:

  • 10928.

    (Mr. Turner.) What are you ?— A baker and confectioner.

  • 10929.

    At Sandwich ? —Church Street, Sandwich.

  • 10930.

    What money did you receive ? — 1L. after the election. I went volunteering, and took a deal of trouble.

  • 10931.

    Answer my question first, you received 1L. after the election ? — Yes.

  • 10932.

    From Mr. Coleman ? — Yes.

  • 10933.

    Had he promised it before the election ? — Not a farthing. I went voluntarily for Sir Julian Goldsmid. I did not expect anything.

  • 10934.

    Had he said anything to you about giving you some amount ? — No. He met me in trouble, and he gave me a sovereign on the 29th of May (oak apple day), and the election was on the 18th.

  • 10935.

    Before the 18th had he promised you anything ? — No. I promised him myself my vote. I always was a blue, and I will continue a blue or a radical.

  • 10936.

    You promised him your vote before the election ? — Yes.

  • 10937.

    Did he say anything about your having something ? — No, nothing at all.

  • 10938.

    Is that all you had ? — That is all I had, but Mr. Tucker, Mr. Crompton Roberts’ agent, offered me 5L. at the “Cinque Ports” stables, but I would not take it.

  • 10939.

    He offered you 5L. for your vote, and you would not take it ? — No.

  • 10940.

    (Mr. Jeune.) What is Tucker’s Christian name ? — I do not know his name.

  • 10941.

    Where does he live ? — In Deal. He put up at the stables of the “Cinque Ports,” which I look after. I fed the horse with corn, and looked after the stable, and he went away and paid me nothing, because I would not give him my vote.

  • 10942.

    When did Tucker offer you this 5L. ? — A day or two before the election.

  • 10943.

    Where was it he offered it you ? — At the “Cinque Ports” arms stables, Sandwich.

  • 10944.

    He offered you 5L. there, did he ? — Yes. He asked whether 5L. would be of any use to me, and I said “No, I am not that colour.” *

  • 10945.

    You did promise Mr. Coleman ? — No. I said I was that colour, it is my own colour. I went myself to Mr. Coleman ; Mr. Coleman never asked me.

  • 10946.

    But you went and volunteered to him ? — Yes.

  • 10947.

    And said you would vote ? — Yes.

  • 10948.

    And he said, what ? — “Well,” he said, “with “the greatest of pleasure, I am sure. “

  • 10949.

    And afterwards he met you and gave you 1L. ? — But that was the 29th. I went voluntarily.

  • 10950.

    I daresay ? — I did not think of having anything. He came like a gentleman and give it me when I was in distress. My boy had just come home from St. Augustine’s through drunkenness, and I had not had a week’s work, and when a gentleman comes and puts a sovereign in your hand like that, I do not see that is any bribery at all.

  • 10951.

    I differ from you, but probably that is not important. Can you tell me where Tucker lives in Deal ? — I do not know. He was a stranger ; he put up at the ”Cinque Ports” arms. I fancy I can ascertain where he is. He was agent for Mr. Crompton Roberts.

  • 10952.

    Do you know where he was staying at Deal ? — I do not.

  • 10953.

    Was that the only time you saw him ? — Yes.

  • 10954.

    How did you know it was Mr. Tucker ? — By his name and address ; he put it down on paper. Mr. Slaughter has got the paper. He made his paper out for the money to be paid for the stable.

  • 10955.

    And you saw there “Tucker” ? — Yes, that is all I knew by his putting his name there — Tucker.

  • 10956.

    That is the only way you knew his name ? — Yes.

  • 10957.

    (Mr. Holl.) What day was it ? — I could not tell exactly the day.